Vent for oil-cans



(No Model.)

-T. FERGUSON.

VENT FOR OIL CANS.

No. 258,224,. Patented May 23, 1882.

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WITNESSES N4 PETERS, Phow-Lilhagnpher. wunin wm D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS FERGUSON, OF PARKERSBURG, IOWA.

VENT FOR OIL-CANS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 258,224, dated May 23, 1882. Application filed March 27,1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS FERGUSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Parkersburg, in the county of Butler and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vents for Oil-Cans and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a can having my invention applied to its screw-cap; Fig. 2, a detail view,partl y in section and Fig. 3, a side elevation of my inven tion.

This'invention relates to vents for oil-cans or other vessels for holding liquids.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and efiective device of the character above mentioned that will be complete in itself and capable of being manufactured at a small cost, placed upon the market, and readily applied to the can or other vessel by the pur' chaser. These objectsl attain by the construction substantially as shown in the and hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents a valve, of metal or other suitable material, to the under side of which is secured a depending rod, B, for the purpose of attaching a weight, U, of spherical or other suitable shape. When in use the rod is passed through a hole or perforation made in the top or side of the can, and is run through the weight and bent up to hold the said weight securely thereon.

When the weighted valve is attached to the screw-cap of the can, and the said can is sitting in an upright position, the Weighted rod will hang perpendicular, and thereby keep the valve close upon the vent-hole, so as to exclude the dustor other foreign substances from the liquid and prevent the evaporation of such liquid by the action of the air.- When the can is tilted to pour out the contents the weight causes the drawings, M

rod to swing to one side, thereby allowing the valve to rise and admit the air through the vent-hole, as shown in Fig.1, thus doing away with the necessity of unscrewing the cap, also rendering the expensive and cumbersome ventspouts usually employed entirely unnecessary.

This vent is entirely self-acting, easily and cheaply manufactured, readily adjusted, and

capable of being used many times, as it is not necessary to provide one for every can, as the invention is intended to be placed upon the market and sold either with or independent of the calls, as the purchasers may prefer, the weight being readily removed by unbending the turned-up end of the rod, thus allowing the valve and rod to be withdrawn when the can is emptied and applied to a fresh one.

To render the valve more air-tight I employ a packing, preferably of rubber, placed upon the under side of the said valve, thus perfectly excluding the air when the can is not in use.

Although I have described my invention as attached to the screw cap or stopper of a vessel, it may be as readily employed by attaching it to the side orother portion of the vessel above the liquid contained therein.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, with an oil can or vessel having a perforation through its top or side, of a vent consisting of the upright rod B, having at its upper end a valve, A, located upon the outside of the can or vessel, and at its lower end-a removable weight, C, said vent adapted to be removed from the can or vessel and operating by the tipping of the same, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS FERGUSON.

Witnesses:

R. M. SMALLPAGE, A. J. WHITE. 

